South Sudan has arrested key allies of Vice President Riek Machar, including the petroleum minister and a deputy army chief, while soldiers surround Machar’s home in Juba. These actions pose a serious threat to the 2018 peace agreement, exacerbated by tensions following a military incursion by an armed group linked to Machar. Calls for the immediate release of the detained officials emphasize the need for stability in South Sudan.
South Sudanese authorities have arrested key allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, intensifying tensions in the capital, Juba. Among those taken into custody are Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol and Deputy Army Chief General Gabriel Duop Lam, both of whom are known loyalists to Machar. The arrests occurred amid a military presence surrounding Machar’s home, raising concerns about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that had previously ended a five-year civil war.
The reason for these arrests remains unclear, coinciding with the recent incursion of an armed group linked to Machar, which seized control of an army base in Upper Nile state. This political strife is fueled by Machar’s ongoing rivalry with President Salva Kiir, and recent dismissals of Machar’s associates from government roles threaten the fragile peace established in 2018.
Pal Mai Deng, Water Minister and spokesman for Machar’s SPLM-IO party, expressed serious concerns over the potential implications of Lam’s arrest on the peace agreement, stating, “This action violates the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.” The heavy military presence around Machar’s residence exacerbates fears of deteriorating trust among political factions.
In addition to the arrests, other senior military officials allied with Machar reportedly face house arrest. Machar’s spokesman, Puok Both Baluang, indicated that no explanation has been provided for these detentions. Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the South Sudan army, refrained from commenting on the situation regarding Machar’s house or the arrests.
The civil war, instigated by Machar’s ouster in 2013, has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, displacing over 2.5 million individuals and causing widespread food insecurity among the population. The tensions appear to be aggravated by accusations that Lam and his forces are collaborating with the White Army rebels in Upper Nile. The United Nations has reported escalating violence, including conflict involving heavy weaponry, resulting in civilian casualties.
Ter Manyang Gatwich, the executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, called for the immediate release of the detained individuals to prevent escalating violence and avert the risk of further large-scale conflict.
The arrests of senior officials allied with Vice President Riek Machar highlight the ongoing fragility of South Sudan’s political landscape. The military’s actions around Machar’s residence raise alarms about potential breaches of the peace agreement designed to end the civil war. Ensuring the security and rights of all political figures is crucial to maintaining stability and preventing further conflict in a nation already grappling with immense challenges.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
